BS 1313 
1897 
Copy 2 



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COFVKIGHI DEPOStT 



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xrf>eBOOKOfRarr> 
Hj^o me book of 



pOBHSneD fOR HULL BRHDL6t 

Bt R. R- RasseLL,^? # iseai ^ork 



TWO COPIES RECEIVED 




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Copyright, 1897, by «lttl Bradley 



ZT>e BOOK Of RCTCf) 



CRHPC6R I- & eiimelecb driven by 
famine into JMoab, dietb. Ris two sons 
marry wives of JVIoab, and die also*,*? 
JNaomi returning homeward, dissuad- 
etb ber two daughters in law from go- 
ing witb ber^Orpab leavetb ber, but 
Rutb cleavetb unto ber. Cbey two come 
to Betb-lebem* 




zr>e book of rctcf> 

ND IC CHJM6 CO 
pHSS in tbe DH^S 

omeNCReiaD- 

6eS7aD6eD,tbat 
CReRewasafHJVI- 
INeinCRSLH^D. 
HND H C6RCHIN 
]MHN Of BeCR-L6RejM-iaDHfi 

aieNc co soioorn in crg 
councry of jviohb, Re, hnd 
ris (we, hnd ris caio sons. 
hnd CRe NHj«e of crs jvihn 
«ihs enjvieLecR, and CRe 
NH)vie of ris aiif e nhojvii, 
hnd CRe NHjvie of ris caio 

SONS JMHRLONHNRCRILION, 

epRRHCRices of BecR-Le- 

Re)M-iaDHR. HND CR6Y CH]«e 
INCO CR6 COONCRY Of JMOHB, 
3N» C0NCIN06D CR6R6. HND 



6Hmelecb J^aomf s husband died; and 
she was left, and ber two sons^Hnd 
tbey took tbem wives of tbe women of 
JMoab; tbe name of tbe one was Orpab, 
and tbe name of tbe otber Rutb: & tbey 
dwelled tbere about ten years. Hnd JMab- 
lon and Cbilion died botb of tbem; and 
tbe woman was left of ber two child- 
ren and of ber husband.,*? Chen she a- 
rose with ber daughters in law, that sbe 
might return from the country of JMo- 
ab: for sbe bad heard in tbe country of 
JMoab bow tbat the Lord bad visited bis 
people in giving tbem bread.,*?Hnd sbe 
went forth out of tbe place where sbe 
was, & ber two daughters in law with 
ber; and tbey went on tbe way to return 
unto tbe land of ^udab.^Hnd ffaomi 
said unto ber two daughters in law, 60, 
return eacbof you tober mother's bouse: 
tbeLorddealkindlywitbyou,asyehave 
dealtwitbtbedead,&witbme. Che Lord 

JO 



grant you that ye may find rest, each of 
you in the bouse of ber husband Cben 
sbekissedtbem; andtbey lifted up tbeir 
voice, and wept./?Hnd tbey said unto 
ber, ]^Jay, but we will return witb tbee 
unto tby people. Hnd J^aomi said, Curn 
again, my daughters: wby will ye go 
witb me? bave I yet sons in my womb, 
tbat tbey may be your husbands? Curn 
again, my daughters, go your way; for 
I am too old to bave an busband. If I 
should say, X bave hope, if X should ev- 
en baveanbusbandto-nigbt,and should 
also bear sons; would ye therefore tar- 
ry till tbey were grown ? would ye there- 
fore stay from having husbands? nay, 
my daughters; for it grievetb me much 
for your sakes,f or the band of the Lord 
is gone forth againstme.,*?Hnd tbey lif- 
ted up tbeir voice, & wept again: & Or- 
pab kissed ber mother in law; but Ruth 
clave unto ber.Hnd she said, Behold, tby 
n 



sister in law is gone bach unto ber peo- 
ple, and unto ber god: return tbou af- 
ter thy sister in law.,*?Hnd Rutb said, 
/?Intreat me not to leave tbee, and to 
return from following after tbee: for 
wbitber tbou goest, I will go; & where 
tbou lodgest, I will lodge: tby people 
sball be my people, & tby 6od my God: 
wbere tbou diest, will I die, and tbere 
will X be buried: tbe Lord do so to me, 
and more also, if augbt but death part 
tbee & me^flnd when she saw that she 
was stedf astly minded to go with ber, 
she left speaking unto her* 80 they two 
went until they came to Betb-lebem.^ 
Hnd it came to pass, when they were 
come to Betb-lebem,tbatallthecity was 
moved about tbem,and tbe women said, 
Is this J^aomi ? /?/? Hnd she said unto 
tbem,Call me not ]Saomi,call me JMara: 
for tbe Hlmighty bath dealt very bitter- 
ly with me. X went out full, & the Lord 

\2 



batb brought me bome again empty:,*? 
why call ye me JVaomi, seeing tbe Lord 
batb testified against me, and tbe Hl- 
migbty batb afflicted me?^.So J^aomi 
returned, and Ruth tbe JMoabitess, ber 
daughter in law, with ber, which return- 
ed out of tbe country of JVIoab : and they 
came to Betb-lebem in tbe beginning of 
barley harvest 



13 



CRHpCeR lX<*Rutf> gleanetb in the 
fields of Boaz. fi Boaz inquiretb con- 
cerning ber, & sbewetb ber great favour 
r*?Cbat wbicb sbe gleanetb sbe carrietb 
to JVaomi. 




]SD J^aonri bad a kinsman 
of her husband's, a mighty 
man of wealth, of the fam- 
ily of eiimelech^andhis 
name was Boaz, Hnd Ruth 
the jVIoabitess said unto J^aomi, Let me 
now go to the field, and glean among the 
ears of corn after him in whose sight I 
shall find graced**? Hnd she said unto 
her, 60, my daughter, Hnd she went, and 
came and gleaned in the field after the 
reapers: and her hap was to light on the 
portion of the field belonging unto Bo- 
az, who was of the family of Slimelecb. 
Hnd, behold, Boaz came from Betb-le- 
bem, and said unto the reapers, /? Che 
Lord be with you* Hnd they answered 
bim, Che Lord bless tbee^Cben said 
Boaz unto bis servant that was set over 
the reapers, Cdbose damsel is tbis?,*?& 
the servant that was set over the reap- 
ers answered and said, It is the JMoabi- 

17 



tisb damsel that came bach with J^aomi 
out of the country of JMoab: & sbe said, 
Let me glean, I pray you, and gather af- 
ter the reapers among the sheaves: so 
sbe came, and batb continued even from 
tbe morning until now, save that sbe 
tarried a little in tbe bouse^Cben said 
Boaz unto Rutb, Rearest tbou not, my 
daughter ?/?6o not to glean in another 
field, neither pass from hence, but abide 
here fast by my maidens. & Let tbine 
eyes be on tbe field that tbey do reap, 
& go tbou after tbem : have I not charg- 
ed tbe young men that tbey shall not 
touch tbee? & when tbou art atbirst, go 
unto tbe vessels, & drink of that which 
tbe young men have drawn^Cben sbe 
fell on her face, and bowed herself to 
tbe ground, & said unto bim, 5Clby have 
I found grace in thy sight, that tbou 
shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing 
X am a stranger ?/*?& Boaz answered & 

J8 



said unto ber, It bath fully been shew- 
ed me, all that tbou bast done unto tby 
mother in law since the death of thine 
husband: and bow tbou bast left thy 
father and thy mother, and the land of 
tby nativity, & art come unto a people 
which tbou knewest not heretofore*,*? 
Che Lord recompense tby work, and a 
full reward be given thee of the Lord, 
the 6od of Israel, under whose wings 
tbou art come to take refuge.,*?Cben she 
said, Let me find grace in tby sight, my 
lord; for that tbou bast comforted me, 
& for that tbou bast spoken kindly un- 
to tbine handmaid, though I be not as 
one of tbine bandmaidens.,*?& at meal- 
time Boaz said unto her, Come hither, 
& eat of the bread, & dip tby morsel in 
the \>inegar.,»?& she sat beside the reap- 
ers: and tbey reached ber parched com, 
& she did eat, & was sufficed, and left 
thereof .,*?& when she was risen up to 

J9 



glean, Boaz commanded bis youngmen, 
saying,^. Let ber glean even among tbe 
sheaves, and reproach ber not^& also 
pull out some for her from tbe bundles, 
& leave it, & let ber glean, & rebuke ber 
not & So she gleaned in tbe field until 
even; & she beat out that she bad glean- 
ed,and it was about an epbab of barley. 
/?Hnd she took it up, and went into the 
city: & ber mother in law saw what she 
bad gleaned: and she brought forth and 
gave to ber that she bad left after she 
was suff iced^Hnd ber mother in law 
said unto ber, Qlbere bast tbou gleaned 
to-day?,*?and where wrougbtest tbou? 
blessed be be that did take knowledge of 
thee* Hnd she shewed ber mother in law 
with whom she bad wrought, and said, 
Cbe man's name with whom I wrought 
to-day is Boaz. fi Hnd JVaomi said unto 
ber daughter in law, Blessed be be of tbe 
Lord, who batb not left off bis kind- 

20 



iicss to the living & to tbc dead Hnd JSTa- 
omisaiduntober,Cbe man isnigbof kin 
unto us,one of our near kinsmen^Hnd 
Rutbtbe]Moabitesssaid,Yea>besaidun- 
tome,€bou sbaltkeepf astbymy young 
men, until they bave ended all my bar- 
vest & Hnd J^aomi said unto Rutb ber 
daughter in law, It is good, my daugh- 
ter, tbat tbou go out with bis maidens, 
and tbat they meet tbee not in any otber 
field fi So sbe kept fast by tbe maid- 
ens of Boaz to glean unto tbe end of 
barley harvest and of wheat harvest; 
and sbe dwelt with ber mother in law. 



21 



CRHPC6R HI. ,* By Naomi's in- 
struction^Rutb Uetb down at the feet 
of Boaz^fie acknowledged the duty 
of a feinsman^atid sendetb ber away 
witb six measures of barley* 




]^D J^aomi her mother in 
law said unto ber, /? ]My 
daughter, shall I not seek 
rest for tbee, that it may be 
well with thee ? / 8 ?Hnd now 
is there not Boaz our kinsman, with 
whose maidens thou wast?, 8 ? Behold, 
be winnowetb barley to-night in the 
tbresbing-floor^CClasb thyself there- 
fore, & annoint thee, & put thy raiment 
upon thee, & get thee down to the thresh- 
ing-floor : but make not thyself known 
unto the man, until be shall have done 
eating & drinking*,*?& it shall be, when 
be lietb down, that tbou sbalt mark the 
place where be shall lie, and tbou sbalt 
go in, and uncover bis feet, and lay tbee 
down; and be will tell tbee what tbou 
sbalt do.^Hnd she said unto ber, HU 
that tbou sayest I will do^Hnd she 
went down unto the tbresbing-f loor, & 
did according to all that her mother in 

25 



law bade ber^Hnd when Boaz bad eat- 
en & drunk, and bis heart was merry,be 
went to lie down at tbeend of the beapof 
corn: and sbe came softly, and uncover- 
ed bis feet, and laid ber down^Hnd it 
came to pass at midnight, that the man 
wasaf raid,and turned himself: and, be- 
hold, a woman lay at bis feet & Hnd be 
said, Cdbo art thou? & sbe answered, I 
am Ruth thine handmaid: spread there- 
fore thy shirt over thine handmaid; for 
thou art a near hinsman^Hnd he said, 
Blessed be tbou of the Lord, my daugh- 
ter: thou bast shewed more kindness in 
the latter end than at the beginning, in- 
asmuch as tbou f ollowedst not young 
men, whether poor or rich* ^ Hnd now, 
my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee 
all that tbou sayest: for all the city of 
my people doth know that thou art a vir- 
tuous woman.^Hnd now it is true that 
X am a near kinsman : <& bowbeit there 

26 



is a kinsman nearer than I.,*?Carry this 
night, & it shall be in the morning, that 
if he will perform unto thee the part of 
a kinsman, well; let him do the kins- 
man's part: but if he will not do the part 
of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the 
part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord 
liveth: lie down until the morning, Hnd 
she lay at his feet until the morning: & 
she rose up before one could discern an- 
other.,*^ or be said, Let it not be known 
that the woman came to the threshing- 
floor. <& Hnd be said, Bring the mantle 
that is upon thee, and bold it; & she held 
it: and be measured six measuresof bar- 
ley, &laid it on ber: and be went into the 
city. Hnd when she came to ber mother 
in law, she said, /& dbo art thou, my 
daughter? Hnd she told ber all that the 
man bad done to her. /? Hnd she said, 
Chese six measures of barley gave be 
me; for be said, 60 not empty unto thy 

27 



mother in lam Chen said she, Sit still, 
my daughter, until thou know how the 
matter will fall: for the man will not 
rest, until he have finished the thing 
this day* 



23 



CRHpCSR IV. ,* Boaz calletb the 
next kinsman before the elders;,*? but 
be refusetb to redeem the inheritance of 
eiimelecb according to tbe manner in 
Israet^Boaz buyetb it^Re marrietb 
Rutb.^Sbe bearetb Obed tbe grand- 
father of David./?Cbe generations of 
pbarez* 




fOCU Boaz went up to the 
gate, & sat bim down there: 
& behold, tbe near kinsman 
of wbom Boaz spake came 
by; unto wbom be said, Bo, 
eucb a one! turn aside, sit down here* 
Hnd be turned aside, & sat do wn^Hnd 
be took ten men of tbe elders of tbe city, 
and said, Sit ye down bere^Hnd they 
sat down* & be said unto tbe near kins- 
man, J^aomi, tbat is come again out of 
tbe country of JMoab, selletb tbe parcel 
of land, which was our brother 6lime- 
lecb's: and I thought to disclose it unto 
thee, saying, Buy it before tbem tbat sit 
here, and before tbe elders of my people . 
If tbou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but 
if tbou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, 
tbatlmayknow: for there is none tore- 
deem it besides thee; & X am after thee* 
Hnd be said, I will redeem it. ^ Chen 
said Boaz„*?Cdbat day tbou buyest tbe 

31 



field of the band of J^aomi, tbou must 
buy it also of Rutb tbc JMoabitess, tbe 
wife of tbe dead, to raise up tbe name of 
tbe dead upon bis inberitance^Hnd tbe 
near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it 
for myself, lest I mar mine own inher- 
itance: taketboumyrigbtof redemption 
on tbee; for Icannotredeem it J^ow tbis 
was tbe custom in former time in Isra- 
el concerning redeeming and concerning 
exchanging, for to confirm all things; a 
man drew off bis shoe, & gave it to bis 
neighbour: and this was tbe manner of 
attestation in Israel* 80 tbe near kins- 
man said unto Boaz, Buy it for thyself. 
Hnd be drew off bis shoe. /?Hnd Boaz 
said unto tbe elders, & unto all tbe peo- 
ple, Y* ai *e witnesses tbis day, tbat I 
have bought all tbat was Glimelecb's, 
and all tbat was Cbilion's & JMablon's, 
of tbe band of J^aomi.,*? JMoreover Rutb 
tbe JMoabitess, tbe wife of jMablon, bave 

32 



Ipurcbasedtobemywife,to raise up the 
name of the dead upon bis inheritance, 
that the name of the dead be not cut off 
from among bis brethren, & from the 
gate of bis place: ye are witnesses this 
day. Hnd all the people that were in the 
gate, & the elders, said, Cde are witness- 
es*,*?Cbe Lord make the woman that is 
come into thine bouse like Rachel & like 
Leah, which two did build the house of 
Israel: and do tbou worthily in Gpbra- 
tbab, and be famous in Betb-lebem: and 
let thy bouse be like the house of perez, 
whom Camar bare unto ^udab, of the 
seed which the Lord shall give tbee of 
this young woman. So Boaztook Rutb, 
and she became bis wife; and be went in 
unto her, and the Lord gave her concep- 
tion, & she bare a son.^Hnd the women 
said unto J^aomi, Blessed be the Lord, 
which batb not left tbee this day with- 
out a near kinsman, and let bis name be 

33 



famous in Israel„*?Hnd be shall be un- 
to tbee a restorer of life, & a nourisber 
of tbine old age:,*? for tby daughter in 
law, which lovetb tbee, which is better 
to thee tban seven sons, hath borne bim. 
And P*aomi took the child, and laid it in 
her bosom, and became nurse unto it.,*? 
Hnd the women her neighbours gave it a 
name, saying, Cbereisasonbornto J^a- 
omi; and tbey called bis name Obed: be 
is the father of ^esse, the father of Da- 
vid.,*?JNk>w these are the generations of 
perez: perez begat Rezron; and Rezron 
begat Ram, & Ram begat Hmminadab; 
& Hmminadab begat J^absbon, & J^ab- 
sbon begat Salmon; and Salmon begat 
Boaz,&Boaz begat Obed; & Obed be- 
gat lesse, and ^esse begat David. 



34 



zr>e&ooKOfeszr>eR 



CRHpCCR I-,*?Hbasuerus maketb a 
feast^Re sendetb for Vasbti„*?wbo 
refusetb to coined Cbe king is coun- 
selled to put ber away* <& Ris decree* 




rneBOOKOfesmea 

OCtt it came to pass in 
the days of Hhasuer- 
us, (this isHbasuerus 
which reigned,,*? from 
India even unto 6tbi- 
opia, over an hundred 
and seven and twenty 
provinces:),*? that in those days, when 
the king Hbasuerus sat on the throne of 
his kingdom, which was in Shusban the 
palace,^in the third year of his reign, 
he made a feast unto all his princes and 
his servants; the power of Persia and 
JMedia, the nobles & princes of the pro- 
vinces, being before bim: when be shew- 
ed the riches of his glorious kingdom 
and the honour of his excellent majesty 
many days, even an hundred and four- 
score days.,*?Hnd when these days were 
fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all 

39 



the people that were present in Sbusban 
the palace, both great and small, seven 
days, in the court of the garden of the 
king's palace; ,*?tbere were hangings of 
wbitcclotb,ofgreen,andofblue,fasten- 
ed with cords of fine linen and purple 
to silver rings and pillars of marble: 
tbe coucbes were of gold and silver, up- 
on a pavement of red, & white, & yel- 
low, and black marble^flnd tbey gave 
them drink in vessels of gold, (tbe ves- 
sels being diverse one from another,) & 
royal wine in abundance„*?according to 
tbe bounty of tbe king^Hnd tbe drink- 
ing was according to tbe law,nonecould 
compel:,*?f or so tbe king bad appointed 
to all the officers of bis bouse,,*? that 
tbey should do according to every man's 
pleasure.^Hlso Vasbti tbe queen made 
af east for tbe women in the royal bouse 
which belonged to king Hbasuerus*,*? 
On tbe seventh day,,*? when tbe heart of 

40 



tbc king was merry with wine, be com- 
manded jVIebuman, Biztba, Rarbona,/? 
Bigtba,andHbagtba,Zetbar,&Carcas, 
tbe seven cbamberlains tbat ministered 
in tbe presence of Hbasuerus tbe king, 
tobring Vasbtitbequeen before tbe king 
with tbe crown royal, to sbew tbe peo- 
ples and tbe princes ber beauty:/? for 
sbe was fair to look on./?Buttbequeen 
Yasbti refused to come /? at tbe king's 
commandment by tbe cbamberlains:/? 
therefore was tbe king very wrotb, and 
bisanger burned in bim./?Cben tbeking 
said to tbe wise men, wbicb knew tbe 
times„*?(f or so was tbe king's manner 
toward all tbat knew law & judgement; 
and tbe next unto bim was Carsbena, 
Sbetbar, Hdmatba,/*?Carsbisb, JVIeres, 
JMarsena, & JVUmucan , tbe seven princes 
of Persia and JMcdia„*?wbicb saw tbe 
king's face, & sat first in tbe kingdom:) 
{Hbat shall we do unto tbe queen Yasbti 

4J 



according to law,/?because she batb not 
done the bidding of tbe king Hbasuer us 
by tbc chamberlains?/? Hnd JMemucan 
answered before tbe king & tbe princes, 
Vasbti tbe queen batb not done wrong 
to tbe king only , but also to all tbe princ- 
es, & to all tbe peoples tbat are in all tbe 
provinces of tbe king Hbasuerus./^fbr 
this deed of tbe queen shall come abroad 
unto all women,/? to make tbeir bus- 
bands contemptible in tbeir eyes, when 
it shall be reported./?€be king Hbasue- 
rus commanded Vasbti tbe queen to be 
brought in before bim,/?but she came 
not^Hnd this day shall tbe princesses 
of Persia and JMedia which have beard 
of tbe deed of the queen say tbe like unto 
all tbe king's princes*/?So shall there 
arise much contempt & wrath*/? If it 
please tbe king, let there go forth a royal 
commandment from bim, and let it be 
written among tbe laws of tbe/?pers- 

42 



tans & tbe JMedes, that it be not altered, 
tbat Vasbti come no more before king 
Hbasuerus; & let tbe king give ber royal 
estate unto another tbat is better than 
sbe*,*?& when tbe king's decree which be 
shall make shall be published through- 
out all bis kingdom, (for it is great,) all 
tbe wives shall give to tbeir husbands 
honour, both to great and smalt^Hnd 
tbe saying pleased tbe king & tbe princ- 
es; & tbe king did according to tbe word 
of JMemucanr^f or be sent letters into 
all tbe king's provinces, into every pro- 
vince according to the writing thereof, 
and to every people after tbeir language, 
tbat every man should bear rule in bis 
own bouse,r*?and should publish it ac- 
cording to tbe language of bis peopled 



43 



CRHPC6R Tl.&E queen to be chosen 
instead of VasbtL^? Sstber is prefer- 
red^Sbe is made queen.^JMordecai's 
service to the king recorded. 




fCGK these things, when 
the wratb of king Hbasue- 
ruswaspacified,be remem- 
bered Vasbti,and what she 
bad done, and what was de- 
crecdagainstber.,*?Cben said tbe king's 
servants that ministered unto him, Let 
there be fair young virgins sought for 
tbe king:,»?and let tbe king appoint of- 
ficers in all tbe provinces^of bis king- 
dom, that they may gather together all 
tbe fair young virgins unto Sbusban tbe 
palace, to tbe bouse of tbe women, unto 
tbe custody of Regain? tbe king's cham- 
berlain, keeper of tbe women;/? and let 
their tbings/?f or purification be given 
tbem:,*?& let tbe maiden which pleasetb 
tbe king be queen instead of Vasbti./? 
Hnd tbe thing pleased tbe king; & be did 
so^Cbere was a certain ^ew in Sbus- 

47 



ban tbe palace, whose name was ]Mor- 
decai, the son of jMt f the son of Sbimei, 
the son of Kisb, a Benjamite; ,*? who 
bad been carried away from Jerusalem 
witb tbe captives wbicb bad been carri- 
ed away witb ^econiab king of ^udab, 
wbom^JHebucbadnezzar tbe^hing of 
Babylon bad carried away./£V?Hnd be 
brought up Radassab, that is, Gstber, 
bis uncle's daughter: for she bad neither 
father nor mother, and tbe maiden was 
fair and beautiful; and when her father 
and mother were dead, JYTordecai took 
her for bis own daugbter./?8o it came 
to pass, when tbe king's commandment 
and bis decree was beard, f& and when 
many maidens were gathered together 
unto Sbusban tbe palace, to tbe custody 
of Rcgai„*?tbat Gstber was taken into 
tbe king's bouse, to tbe custody of Re- 
gai„*?keeper of tbe women. ^Hnd tbe 
maiden pleased bim„*?and she obtained 

48 



kindness of bim;,*?and be speedily gave 
ber ber things for purification, with ber 
portions, and tbe seven maidens, which 
were meet to be given ber„*?out of tbe 
king's bouset^and be removed ber and 
ber maidens to tbe best placed of tbe 
bouse of tbe women^Gstber bad not 
shewed ber people nor ber kindred: ,*? 
for JMordecai bad charged ber that she 
should not shew it*,*? <& JMordecai walk- 
ed every day,*? before tbe court of tbe 
women's bouse„*?to know how Gather 
did„*?and what should become of ben 
I^ow when tbe turn of every maiden was 
cometogo in tokingHbasuerus„*?af ter 
that it bad been done to ber according to 
tbe law for tbe women, twelve months, 
(for so were tbe days of their purifica- 
tions accomplished, to wit, six months 
with oil of myrrb, and six months with 
sweet odours„*?and with tbe things for 
tbe purifying of tbe women,) ^ then in 

49 



this wise came the maiden unto the king, 
whatsoever she desired was given ber 
to go with ber out of the bouse of the 
women unto tbe king's bouse^In tbe 
evening sbe went„*?and on tbe morrow 
sbe returned into tbe second bouse of 
tbe women,,*? to tbe custody of Sbaasb- 
gaz, tbe king's chamberlain, which kept 
the concubines:,*?sbe came in unto tbe 
king no more, except tbe king delighted 
in ber, and that sbe were called by name* 
r^l^ow when tbe turn of 6stber,^?tbe 
daughter of Hbibail tbe uncle of JVIorde- 
cai, who bad taken ber for bis daughter, 
was come to go in unto the king,,*? sbe 
required notbing,*?but what Regai tbe 
king's chamberlain,,*? tbe keeper of tbe 
women, appointed. ,*? & Gstber obtain- 
ed favour in tbe sight of all them tbat 
looked upon ber*,*?So Gstber was taken 
unto king Hbasuerus into bis bouse roy- 
al intbetentbmontb, which is tbe month 

50 



Cebetb, in the seventh year of bis reign. 
Hnd the king loved Gstber above all tbe 
women,& she obtained grace and f avour 
in bis sight more than all the virgins; so 
that be set tbe royal crown upon her bead, 
& made her queen instead of Vasbti.,*? 
Chen tbe king made a great feast unto 
all his princes and bis servants,,*? even 
Gstber's feast; and be made a release to 
the provinces, and gave gifts, according 
to tbe bounty of the king.,*? Hnd when 
tbe virgins were gathered together tbe 
second time„*?tben JMordecai sat in tbe 
king's gate.,*?6stber bad notyet shewed 
her kindred nor her people; as JMordecai 
had charged ber: for Gstber did the com- 
mandment of JMordecai, likeas wbensbe 
was brought up with him.,*? In those 
days, while JMordecai sat in tbe king's 
gate,,*? two of tbe king's chamberlains, 
Bigtban & Ceresb, of those which kept 
the door, were wroth, and sought to lay 

51 



bands on tbe kingHbasuerus*,*?Hnd the 
tbing was known to JVIordecai, & wbo 
shewed it unto Gstber tbe queen^and 
Gstber told tbe king thereof in JVLorde- 
cai' s name^Hnd when inquisition was 
wade of tbe matter, & it was found to 
be so, tbey were both banged on a tree: 
and it was written & in tbe boob of tbe 
chronicles before tbe king* 



52 



CRHpCeRHL^ Raman's promo- 
tion* JMordecai ref usetb to dobim rever- 
ence, ft Raman seeketb revenge* ft Re 
obtainetb a decree of tbe king to destroy 
tbe ^ews. 




fC6R these tbingsdid king 
Hbasuerus promote Ram- 
an the son of Rammedatba 
the Hgagite, and advanced 
bim, and set bis seat above 
all the princes that were with bim.,*?& 
all the king's servants, tbat were in tbe 
king's gate, bowed down, and did rever- 
ence to Raman: for tbe king bad so com- 
manded concerning bim* But JMordecai 
bowed not down, nor did bim reverence* 
Chen tbe king's servants, tbat were in 
tbe king's gate, said unto JMordecai, 
Cdby transgressest tbou tbe king'scom - 
mandment? ]^ow it came to pass, when 
they spake daily unto bim, and be heark- 
ened not unto tbem, tbat tbey told Ra- 
man, to see whether JMordecai's matters 
would stand : for be bad told tbem tbat 
be was a ^ew^Hnd when Raman saw 
tbat JMordecai bowed not down, nor did 
bim reverence, then was Raman full of 

55 



wratb*,*?But be tbougbt scorn to lay 
bands on JVLordecai alone; for they bad 
shewed bim tbe people of JVIordecai: 
wherefore Raman sought to destroy all 
tbe 'Jews that were throughout the 
whole kingdom of Hbasuerus, even the 
people of JVIordecai* In the first month, 
which is the month J^isan, in the twelfth 
year of king Hbasuerus, they cast pur, 
that is, tbe lot, before Raman from day 
to day, and from month to month, to tbe 
twelfth month, which is the month 
Hdar,,*?& Raman said unto king Hbas- 
uerus, Cbere is a certain people scatter- 
ed abroad and dispersed among tbe peo- 
ples in all tbe provinces of tby kingdom ; 
& their laws are diverse from those of 
every people; neitberkeep they tbe king's 
laws: therefore it is not for tbe king's 
profit to suffer tbem.^If it please tbe 
king, let it be written that they be de- 
stroyed: & I will pay ten thousand tal- 

56 



ents of silver into the bands of those 
that have the charge of the king's busi- 
ness, to bring it into the king's treasur- 
ies*,*^ the king took bis ring from bis 
band, and gave it unto Raman the son 
of Rammedatba the Hgagite, the ^ews' 
enemy* ,&& the king said unto Raman, 
Che silver is given to thee, the people al- 
so, to do with them as it seemetb good 
to thee«^Cben were the king's scribes 
called in the first month, on the thir- 
teenth day thereof, & there was written 
according to all that Raman command- 
ed unto the king's satraps, and to the 
governors that were over every prov- 
ince, & to the princes of every people; to 
every province according to the writing 
thereof, and to every people after their 
language; in the name of king Hbasuer- 
us was it written, & it was sealed with 
the king's ring.,*?& letters were sent by 
posts into all the king's provinces, to 

57 



destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, 
all Tfews, both young & old, little child- 
ren and women, in one day, even upon 
the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, 
which is the month Hdar, & to take the 
spoil of them for a prey* H copy of the 
writing, that the decree should be given 
out in every province, was published un- 
to all the peoples, that they should be 
ready against that day, Che posts went 
forth in baste by the king's command- 
ment, & the decree was given out in Shu- 
shan the palace: and the king and Raman 
sat down to drink; but the city of Sbu- 
sban was perplexed. 



58 



CRHpCeR TV.&Zbt lamentation of 
JMordecai&tbe^ews^Gstber tnqirir- 
etb the cause thereof* fi JMordecai 
maketb it known to ber, & urgetb ber to 
intercede witb the kingf or ber people.^ 
She conscntetb, & appointetb a fast /? 




|OCd when JVlordecai knew 
all that wasdone, JMordecai 
rent bis clothes, and put on 
sackcloth with ashes, and 
went out into the midst of 
the city, and cried with a loud & a bitter 
cry: and be came even before the king's 
gate: for none might enter within the 
king's gate clothed with sackclotb^& 
in every province,,*? whithersoever the 
king's commandment & bisdecree came, 
there was great mourning^among the 
3ews,& f asting,& weeping,& wailing; 
and many lay in sackcloth and ashes*,*? 
Hnd Sstber's maidens and her chamber- 
lains came and told it ber; & the queen 
was exceedingly grieved:^?and she sent 
raiment to clothe JVlordecai, and to take 
bis sackcloth from off him:^?but be re- 
ceived it not ,*? Chen called 6stber for 
Batbacb,oneoftbeking'scbamberlains, 
whom be bad appointed to attend upon 

61 



ber, and charged bim to go to JMordecai, 
to know what this was, & why it was* 
So Ratbacb went f ortb to JMordecai un- 
to the broad place of tbe city,,*? wbicb 
was before tbe king's gate* Hnd JMorde- 
cai told bim^?of all tbat bad happened 
unto bim, & tbe exact sum of tbe money 
tbat Raman bad promised to pay to tbe 
king's treasuries for tbe 'Jews^to de- 
stroy tbem* Hlso be gave bim tbe copy 
of tbe writing^?of tbe decree tbat was 
given out in Sbusban to destroy tbem, 
to sbew it unto Gstber, & to declare it 
untober; &to charge ber tbat sbesbould 
go in unto tbe king, to make supplica- 
tion unto bim,& to make request before 
bim, for ber people. Hnd Ratbacb came 
and told Gstber tbe words of JMordecai* 
Cben 6stber spake unto Ratbacb, and 
gave bim a message unto JMordecai,say- 
ing:^?HU tbe king's servants, and tbe 
people of tbe king's provinces,do know, 

62 



that whosoever,,*? whether man or wo- 
man, shall come unto the king into the 
inner court„*?wbo is not called, there is 
one law for him, that he be put to death, 
except such to whom the king shall hold 
out the golden sceptre, that he may live: 
but I have/? not been called to come in 
unto the king these thirty days^Hnd 
they told to JVIordecai Gstber's words* 
/?Cben JVIordecai bade them return an- 
swer unto Gstber, Chink not with thy- 
self that thou shalt escape in the king's 
house, more than all the Jcws^fov if 
thou altogether boldest thy peace at this 
time,/?tben shall relief and deliverance 
arise to the ^ews f rom/?anotber place, 
but thou & thy father's bouse shall per- 
ish: and who knoweth whether thou art 
not come to the kingdom for such a time 
as tbis?/?Cbenesther bade them return 
answer unto JMordecai„*?6o, gather to- 
gether all the 3e ws/?that are present in 

63 



Sbusban, and fast ye for me, and neith- 
er eat nor drink three days, ,*? nigbt or 
day: I also and my maidens will fast in 
like manner; & so will I go in unto the 
king, wbicb is not according to tbe law: 
and if X perisb, I perisb.,*?So JVIordecai 
went bis way, and did according to all 
tbat Sstber bad commanded bim* 



64 



CRHpCeR V-^Gstber, venturing to 
go to the king, obtainctbbisf avour, and 
invitctb tbe king & Raman toabanquet. 
/?Sbe, being encouraged by tbe king, in- 
vitetb tbem to another banquet tbe next 
day./? Raman repinetb at tbe contempt 
ofJVIordecai^Rebuttdetbagallowsfor 
bim./? 




lOCCt it came to pass on the 
third day, that Gstber put 
on ber royal apparel, and 
stood in the inner court of 
the king's bouse„*?over 
against the king's bouse: & the king sat 
upon bis royal tbronein the royal bouse, 
over against tbe entrance of tbe bouse* 
& it was so, when tbe king saw Sstber 
tbe queen standing in tbe court, that sbe 
obtained favour in bis sight: & tbe king 
held out to Sstber tbe golden sceptre 
tbat was in bis band./?So Gstber drew 
near, and touched tbe top of tbe sceptre. 
Chen said tbe king unto ber, CClbat wilt 
thou, queen 6stber ? and what is thy re- 
quest? it shall be given thee even to tbe 
half of tbe kingdom. & Sstber said, If 
it seem good unto tbe king, let tbe king 
& Raman come this day unto tbe ban- 
quet tbat I have preparedf or him. Chen 
tbe king said, Cause Raman to make 

67 



baste, /? that it may be done as Gstber 
batb said. So tbe king and Daman came 
to tbe banquet that Gstber bad prepar- 
c&/?Hnd tbe king said unto 6stber at 
tbe banquet of wine, Cdbat is tby peti- 
tion? & it shall be granted tbeet&wbat 
is tby request?/?even to tbe balf of tbe 
kingdom it shall be perf ormed./?Cben 
answered Gstber, and said, JMy petition 
and my request is:/?,*? if I bave found 
favour in tbe sigbt of tbe king, and if it 
please tbe king to grant my petition, & 
to perform my request, let tbe king and 
Raman come to tbe banquet tbat I sball 
preparefortbem,&Iwilldoto-morrow 
as tbeking batbsaid*/?Cben went Ram- 
an fortb tbat day/? joyful and glad of 
beart: butwben RamansawJMordecaiin 
tbe king's gate, tbat be stood not up nor 
movedforbim,be was filled with wratb 
against JMordecai^J^ewrtbelcss Ram- 
an refrained bimself ,and went borne;/? 

68 



and be sent and fetched bis friends and 
Zeresb bis wif e.,*?Hnd Raman recount- 
ed unto tbem tbe glory of bis ricbes,and 
the multitude of bis children, and all tbe 
things wherein tbe king bad promoted 
bim, andbow be bad advanced bim above 
tbe princes and servants of tbe king*,*? 
Raman said moreover, \c^, Gsther tbe 
queen did let no man come in with tbe 
king unto tbe banquet tbat sbe bad pre- 
pared but myself; <&& to-morrow also 
am I invited by ber togetber/?witb tbe 
king*,*? Yet all tbis availetb me nothing, 
solongasIseeJMordecai tbe 3ew sitting 
at the king's gate* Cben said Zeresb bis 
wife & all bis friends unto bim, Let a 
gallows be made of fifty cubits bigb, & 
in tbe morning speak tbou unto tbe king 
tbat JMordecai may bebangedtbereon:^? 
tben go tbou in merrily with tbe king un- 
to the banquet HndtbetbingpleasedRa- 
man;&be caused tbe gallows to bemade* 

69 



CfiHpCeRYI.,#Hbasiierus,reading 
in tbecbroniclesof the good service done 
by JMordecai, providetb for bis reward* 
,*?Raman, coming to ask tbat JMordecai 
migbtbe banged, unawares givetb coun- 
seltbat bemigbtdobim honour.,*? Com- 
plaining of bis misfortunc,bis friends 
predict bis fall.,*? 




JN" that nigbt could not the 
king sleep; & be command- 
ed to bring tbe book of re- 
cords of tbe chronicles, and 
tbey were read/?bef ore tbe 
king.,*?flnd it was found written, tbat 
JMordecai^bad told of /?Bigtbana and 
Ceresb, two of tbe king's chamberlains, 
of tbose tbat kept tbe door,,*? wbo bad 
sought to lay bands on tbe king Hbasue- 
rus^Hnd tbe king said, Cdbat honour 
and dignity bath been done to JMordecai 
for this? Chen said tbe king's servants 
tbat ministered untobim,Cbere is noth- 
ing done for bim^Hnd tbe king said, 
Hlbo is in tbe courtP^J^ow Raman was 
comeintotbeoutwardcourtoftbeking's 
bouse„*?to speak unto tbe king to bang 
JMordecai on tbe gallows^?tbat be bad 
prepared for bim^Hnd tbe king's ser- 
vants said unto bim„*?Bebold, Raman 
standetb in tbe court. Hnd tbe king said, 

73 



Let bim come in^So Raman came in. 
Hnd the king said unto bim, 3dbat shall 
be done unto tbe man wbom tbe king de- 
ligbtetb to bonour? r *?] s Jow Raman said 
in bis heart, Co wbom would tbe king 
deligbt to do honour more tban to my- 
self ?^?Hnd Raman said unto tbe king, 
for tbe man wbom tbe king deligbtetb 
to honour, let royal apparel be brought 
which tbe king usetb to wear„*?and tbe 
horse that tbe king ridetb upon, and on 
tbe head of which a crown royal is set: 
& let tbe apparel & tbe horse be deliver- 
ed to tbe band of one of tbe king's most 
noble princes, that they may array tbe 
man withal wbom tbe king deligbtetb 
to honour, & cause him to ride on horse- 
back through tbe street of tbe city, and 
proclaim before bim„*?Cbus shall it be 
done to tbe man whom tbe king deligbt- 
etb to bonour^Cben tbe king said to 
Raman, JMake haste, & take tbe apparel 

74 



and the horse, as tbou bast said, and do 
even so to JMordecai the *}c w,tbat sittetb 
at tbe king's gate: let nothing fail of all 
that tbou bast spoken* Cben took Ram- 
an tbe apparel and tbe horse, & arrayed 
JMordecai, & caused bim to ride through 
tbe street of tbe city,,*? and proclaimed 
before bim^Cbus shall it be done unto 
tbe man whom tbe king^delightetb to 
bonour^Hnd JMordecai came again to 
tbe king's gate^But Raman basted to 
bis bouse, mourning & having bis bead 
covered^Hnd Raman recounted unto 
Zeresb bis wife & all bis friends every 
thing that bad befallen bim, Chen said 
bis wise men and Zeresb bis wife unto 
bim,^?If JMordecai, before wbom tbou 
bast begun to fall, be of tbe seed of tbe 
3ews„*?tbou sbalt not prevail against 
bim, but sbalt surely fall before bim* 
CClbile tbey were yet talking witb bim, 
came tbe king's chamberlains, & basted 

75 



to bring Raman unto tbc banquet that 
€stber bad prepared 



76 



CRHpCSR VII, & e9tber,etitertahi- 
ingtbehingand Raman, plcadetbf orber 
own life & for that of ber people* & Sbe 
accusetbRaman.^Cbektnginbisanger 
commanded) Raman to be bangedontbe 
gallows made for JMordecai.^ 




O tbe king and Raman came 
to banquet with Gstber the 
queen*,*? Hnd tbe king said 
again unto,*? Gstber on tbe 
second day at tbe banquet 
of wine„*?<OClbat is tby petition, queen 
Gstber? and it shall be granted tbee: & 
wbat is tby request?,*?even to tbe balf 
of tbe kingdom it sball be performed*,*? 
Cben Gstber tbe queen answered & said, 
,*?If I bave found favor in tby sight, O 
king, and if it please tbe king, let my life 
be given me at my petition, and my peo- 
ple at my request:,*?fbr we are sold, I 
and my people, to be destroyed„*?to be 
slain, and to perish. But if we bad been 
sold for bondmen and bondwomen,,*?! 
bad beld my peace, although tbe advers- 
ary could not bave compensated for tbe 
king's damage*,*? Chen spake tbe king 
Hbasuerus,*?and said unto Gstber tbe 
queen, Cttbo is be, and where is be, that 

79 



durst presume in bis heart to do so?,*? 
Hud Gstber said, Hn adversary and an 
enemy, even tbis wicked Raman* Cben 
Raman was afraid before tbe king and 
tbe queen^Hnd tbe king arose in bis 
wratb from tbe banquet of wine^and 
went into tbe palace garden: and Raman 
stood up to make request for bis life to 
Gstber tbe queen; for be saw that tbere 
was evil determined against bim by tbe 
king^?Cben tbe king returned out of tbe 
palace garden into tbe place of tbe ban- 
quet of wine;^and Raman was fallen 
upon tbe coucb wbereon Sstber was., 1 ? 
Cben said tbe king, CCKU be even force 
tbe queen before me in tbe bouse?/?Hs 
tbe word went out of tbe king's moutb, 
tbey covered Raman's f ace^Cben said 
Rarbonab, one of tbe chamberlains that 
were before tbe king„*?Bebold also, tbe 
gallowsf ifty cubits bigb, wbicb Raman 
batb made for JMordecai„*?wbo spake 

80 






good for tbe king, standetb in the bouse 
of Raman* ,*?Hnd the hing said, Rang 
bim tbcreon^So tbey banged Raman 
on tbe gallows tbat be bad prepared for 
JWordecai*/#Cben was tbe king's wratb 
pacified. 



81 



CRHPC6R VUI^JVIordecai is pro- 
motecL,«?estber mahetb suitto the hing 
to reverse Raman's letters* /?Hbasue- 
rus givetb tbe ^fews permission to de- 
fend tbemselves.^Cbe honour shewed 
to JWordecai, and tbe joy of tbe 1*vpq. fi 




NtbatdaydidtbekingHba- 
euerus give the/? bouse of 
Raman tbe 3ews' enemy/*? 
unto Gstbertbe queen* Hnd 
JMordecai,*?came before tbe 
king; for Gstber bad told what be was 
unto ber.^Hnd tbe king took off bis 
ring, which be bad taken from Daman, 
and gave it unto JMordecai. Hnd €stber 
set JVIordecai over tbe bouse of Raman* 
Hnd Gstber spake yet again before tbe 
king, and fell down at bis feet, and be- 
sought bim with tears to put away tbe 
mischief of Raman tbe Hgagite, & bis 
device tbat be bad devised against tbe 
^ews. Chen tbe king held out to Gstber 
tbe golden sceptre.^So ©stber arose, & 
stood before tbe king^A sbe said, If 
it please tbe king, and if I bave found 
favour in bis sight, and tbe thing seem 
right before tbe king, and I be pleasing 
in bis eyes, let it be written to reverse 

85 



the Utters devised by Raman the son of 
Rammedatba the Hgagite, ,& wbicb be 
wrote to destroy tbe ^ews wbicb are in 
all tbe king's provinces : for bow can I 
endure to see tbe evil that shall come un- 
to my people?^?or bow can I endure to 
see tbe destruction of my kindred?,*? 
Cben tbe king Hbasuerus said unto 6s- 
tber tbe queen and to JVIordecai tbe Jew, 
Bebold, I have given Gstber tbe bouse 
of Raman, andbim tbey bave banged up- 
on tbe gallows, because be laid bis band 
upon tbe Jews, fi Cdrite ye also to tbe 
Jews,asitliketbyou,intbeking'sname, 
and seal it witb tbe king's ring: for tbe 
writing wbicb is written in tbe king's 
name,&sealed witb tbe king's ring, may 
no man reverse^ Cben were tbe king's 
scribes called at tbat time, in tbe third 
month, wbicb is tbe month 8ivan,on tbe 
tbree& twentieth day thereof; & it was 
written according to all tbat JVIordecai 

86 



commanded unto the 3(ews, & to the sa- 
traps, & the governors & princes of the 
provinces which are from India unto 
ethiopia, an hundred twenty & seven 
provinces, unto every province accord- 
ing to the writing thereof, & unto every 
people after their language, and to the 
3k ws according to their writing, and ac- 
cording to their language. Hnd he wrote 
in the name of king Hhasuerus, & sealed 
it with the king's ring, & sent letters by 
posts on horseback, ,*? riding on swift 
steeds that were used in the king's ser- 
vice, bred of the studt^wherein the king 
granted the Jews which were in every 
city to gather themselves together, and 
to stand for their life, ^to destroy, to 
slay, and to cause to perish, all the pow- 
er of the people and province that would 
assault them, their little ones«& women, 
and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 
upon one day inallthe provinces of king 

87 



Hbasuerus,namely,upon tbc thirteenth 
day of the twelfth month, which is the 
month Hdar. /? H copy of the writing, 
that the decree should be given out in 
every province, was published unto all 
the peoples, and that the 3cws should be 
ready against that day to avenge them- 
selves on tbeir enemies. & 80 the posts 
that rode upon swift steeds that were 
used in the king's service went out, be- 
ing hastened & pressed on by the king's 
commandment; & the decree was given 
out in Shushan the palace. /? Hnd JWor- 
decai went forth from the presence of 
the kingin royal apparelof blue & white, 
and with a great crown of gold, & with 
a robe of fine linen and purple: and the 
city of Shushan shouted & was glad.,*? 
Che >ws had light & gladness, & joy 
& bonour.^?Hnd in every province, and 
in every city, whithersoever the king's 
commandment and bis decree came, the 

88 



lews bad gladness and joy, a feast and 
a good day, <& Hnd many from among 
the peoples of the land became ^ews; ,*? 
f ortbe fear of tbe lews wasf alien upon 
tbem. 



89 



CRHPC6R IXXbe lews (the rulers 
abetting) destroy tbeir enemies* flbas- 
uerus,at tberequestof Gstber,grantetb 
another day of slaughter, & the destruc- 
tion of Raman's sons^Che f estivalof 
purim established.^ 




\0m in the twelfth month, 
which is the month Hdar, 
on the thirteenth day of the 
same, when the king's com- 
mandment and^his decree 
drew near to be put in execution,,*?™ the 
day that the enemies of the lews hoped 
to have rule over them; whereas it was 
turned to the contrary„*?tbat the lews 
had rule over them that hated them;,*? 
the lews gathered themselves together 
in their cities throughout all the provin- 
ces of the king Hbasuerus, to lay hand 
on such as sought their hurt: ,*? and no 
man could withstand them ; for the fear 
of them was fallen upon all the peoples. 
Hnd all the princes of the provinces, & 
the satraps, & the governors, and they 
that did the king's business, helped the 
lews; because the fear of JMordecai was 
fallen upon tbem.,*?for JVIordecai was 
great in the king's bouse, and his fame 

93 



went forth throughout all the provin- 
ces: for the man JVIordecai waxed great- 
er and greater^Hnd the ^fews smote 
all their enemies with the stroke of the 
sword, & with slaughter and destruct- 
ion, and did what they would unto them 
that hated them^Hnd in Shushan the 
palace the 3ews slew and destroyed five 
hundred men.^Hnd parsbandatba, & 
Dalpbon, and Hspatba, and poratba, & 
Hdalia, and Hridatba, and parmasbta, 
and Hrisai, and Hridai, and Vaizatba, 
the ten sons of Raman the son of fiam- 
medatba, the ^ew's enemy, slew they; 
but on the spoil they laid not their hand* 
/*?On that day the number of those that 
were slain in Shushan the palace was 
brought before the king^Hnd the king 
said unto Sstber the queen, Che "}ews 
have slain and destroyed five hundred 
men in Shushan the palace, and the ten 
sons of Raman ;^ what then have they 

94 



done in the rest of the king's provinces! 
flow wbatis tby petition?,*?and it shall 
be granted thee: or what is tby request 
further? & it shall be done.^Cben said 
6stber„*?If it please the king, let it be 
granted to the lews which are in Sbus- 
ban to do to-morrow,*? also according 
unto this day's decree, and let Raman's 
ten sons be banged upon the gallows*,*? 
,*?Hnd the king commanded it so to be 
done: ,*? and a decree was given out in 
Sbusban; and they banged Raman's ten 
sons.,*?Hnd the lews that were in Sbus- 
ban gathered themselves together on the 
fourteenth day also of the month Hdar, 
and slew three hundred men in Sbus- 
ban; but on the spoil they laid not tbeir 
band*,*?Hnd the other lews that were 
in the king's provinces gathered them- 
selves together, & stood for tbeir lives, 
and bad rest from tbeir enemies,,*? and 
slew of them that hated tbem seventy & 

95 



five thousand; but on the spoil tbey laid 
not their band^Cbis was done on tbe 
thirteenth day of tbe month Hdar; and 
on the fourteenth day of tbe same they 
rested, and made it a day of feasting & 
gladness. <& But tbe Jews that were in 
dbusban assembled together on tbe 
thirteenth day thereof, and on tbe four- 
teenth day thereof; and on tbe fifteenth 
day of the same tbey rested, and made it 
a day of feasting & gladness. & there- 
fore do tbe 3ews of the villages, fi that 
dwell in tbe un walled towns, make tbe 
fourteenth day of tbe month Hdar a day 
of gladness & feasting, and a good day, 
& of sending portions onetoanotber.^ 
Hnd JMordecai wrote these things, and 
sent letters unto all tbe "Jews that were 
in all tbe provinces of tbe king flbas- 
uerus, both nigh and far, to enjoin tbem 
that tbey should keep tbe fourteenth day 
of tbe month Hdar, & tbe fifteenth day 

96 



of the same, yearly,as the days wherein 
the ^ews bad rest from tbeir enemies, 
and the month which was turned unto 
them from sorrow to gladness, & from 
mourning into a good day: ,*? that they 
should make them days of feasting and 
gladness, & of sending portions one to 
another, & gifts to the poor* ,*? Hnd the 
3ews undertook todoas they had begun, 
andas JMordecai had written unto them ; 
because Raman the son of Rammedatba, 
the Hgagite, the enemy of all the Jews, 
bad devised against the ^ews todestroy 
them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, 
to consume them, and to destroy them; 
,*? but when the matter came before the 
king, he commanded by letters that his 
wicked device,,*? which be bad devised 
against the ^ews, should return upon 
bis own bead; and that be and bis sons 
should be banged on the gallows*,*? 
therefore they called these days pur- 

97 



im, after the name of pur^Cberef ore 
because of all tbe words of tbis letter,& 
of tbat which they bad seen concerning 
tbismatter,& tbat which bad comeunto 
tbem, tbe ^ews ordained, and took upon 
tbem, and upon tbeir seed, and upon all 
sucb as joined themselves unto tbem, so 
as it should not f ail„*?tbat they would 
heeptbesetwodaysaccordingtotbe 
writing thereof , and accordingto tbe ap- 
pointed time thereof, every year; & tbat 
these dayssbouldberemembered &kept 
throughout every generation, ,*? every 
family, every province, & every city; & 
tbattbesedaysofpurimsbouldnotfail 
from amongtbe3ews,nor tbememorial 
of tbem perish from tbeir seed^Cben 
Gstber the queen, tbe daughter of Hbi- 
bail,<&]VIordecai tbe ^ew, wrote with all 
authority to confirm tbis second letter 
of purim^Hnd be sent letters unto all 
tbe ^ews, to tbe hundred twenty Aseven 

98 



provincesoftbekingdomofHbasuerus, 
with wordsof peace & truth, to confirm 
these days of purim in their appointed 
times, accordingas JMordecai the Jew & 
Gsther the queen had enjoined them, & 
as they hadordained for themselves and 
for their seed, in the matter of the fast- 
ings and their cry.,*?Hnd the command- 
ment of Gsther confirmed these mat- 
ters of purim; & it was written in the 
booh* ft Hnd the king Hbasuerus laid a 
tribute upon the land, and upon the isles 
of the sea* Hnd all the acts of bis power 
and of bis might, & the full account of 
the greatness of JVIordecai„*?wbereunto 
tbekingadvancedbim,aretheynot writ- 
ten in the book of the chronicles of the 
kings of JMedia and persia?/?for JMor- 
decai the Jew was next unto king Hbas- 
uerus, and great among the 7*ws, & ac- 
cepted of the multitude of bis brethren; 
seeking the good of bis people, & speak- 
ing peace to all bis seed* 

99 



CT6 BOOK Of RUZY> HJND ZT>B BOOK Of 

esc^ea. pRirrceo by «hhl BRHDneT 
hc cRe mHYQlve pRess, spRijvef ieu>, 

]MHSS., 0- & H. IN DeceNBGR, MDCCCXCVII. 



J 



